Diane Diles Hammond shares a hug with father Staff Sgt. Curtis "Bud" Diles, USAF,
shortly before he passed away in 2014. Photo courtesy of Diane.
"Dad - It’s been 2 years since I’ve heard your voice. The last words I spoke to you as I kissed your forehead and told you good-bye were “I love you, dad. You’ll always be my hero.” You stared in my eyes and squeezed my hand. I think of you every day, dad, and I’d give anything just to hear you say one more time “Hello, Angel.” Oh, how I miss you. Mom grieves more for you with each passing day. She’s getting old and weak and longs to see you again. It breaks our hearts. Today I was talking to my grandkids about their great grandpa. Henry is 7 now. He asked “Why was great grandpa a hero? How did he not get killed when he got shot down in the war?” He listened intently as I told him your story. He had a big smile on his face as I told him we all lived today because of the Serbian Chetniks. You’d be so proud. We have another generation to continue your mission.
I love you, dad, and you will always be my #1 hero."
Diane Diles Hammond
Daughter of Staff Sgt. Curtis "Bud" Diles,
WWII USAF Veteran, shot down by the Germans
and rescued by General Draza Mihailovich
and his Serbian Chetnik forces in Nazi-occupied
Serbia in 1944.
September 10, 2016
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If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com*****